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Smith, Sherwood. Crown Duel: Book 1 of the Crown and Court Duet. Harcourt Brace, 1997. ISBN 0-15-201608-2. $17.00. 214 pp. A 4-12 FI Reviewed by Lillian H. Heil Sherwood Smith's Crown Duel is the fast- moving action story of fiery young Countess Meliara of Remalna, who, with her older brother Branaric, wants to save her country from a greedy king named Galdran. At the end of this nonstop adventure tale of fights, capture, flight and resolution...
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Smith, Sherwood. Crown Duel: Book 1 of the Crown and Court Duet. Harcourt Brace, 1997. ISBN 0-15-201608-2. $17.00. 214 pp. A 4-12 FI Reviewed by Lillian H. Heil Sherwood Smith's Crown Duel is the fast- moving action story of fiery young Countess Meliara of Remalna, who, with her older brother Branaric, wants to save her country from a greedy king named Galdran. At the end of this nonstop adventure tale of fights, capture, flight and resolution, the reader is surprised to realize the action has really been the vehicle for portraying memorable characters, especially the character of Meliara. The first-person account is by Meliara, and the reader learns to expect that she will plunge into every situation with minimal thought about the consequences. Her fortitude in the face of enormous difficulties, her willingness to admit her mistakes, and her concern for others make her an appealing, if stubborn, young woman. The first mistake she admits is getting captured by the enemy: For at last I faced the real truth: that by my own carelessness, I might well have graveled our entire cause.” I have to confess that, for a short time, hot tears of rage and self- loathing stung my eyes and dripped down my face. In the very last few pages of the book, Meliara is still admitting she has misjudged people and situations: I had been so wrong I had nearly gotten a lot of people killed for no reason. Just thinking it made me grit my teeth and in a way felt almost as bad as cleaning the fester from my wounded foot. Which was right, because I had to clean out from my mind the fester caused by anger and hatred. A heroine who is willing to admit such mistakes and make mighty changes is definitely worth reading about. Meliara's last change is not revealed until the final two pages of the book, and it should endear her to the heart of all teachers. Finally Meliara has harnessed her restless, impetuous spirit and is able to lose herself in the service of her people. It's the kind of book that makes you impatient to read Book Number 2 of this series. I shall be looking forward to its publication. 214 p. ; 24 cm. Children's Book and Play Review, November / December 1997.
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